Will Medicare help pay for a shower insert?

JoAnn, we just lifted the chair and put it in the bathtub after Mom or Dad's bath.    It was light and easy to handle.  

I do understand the limitations of bathrooms though.   I'm guessing most of us don't have massive bathrooms like those in the popular decorating and remodeling programs.

The over the tub chair is a great idea but, the bathroom has to be set up as such that it can be used. I wouldn't be able to get to the toilet if I had one in my bathroom. And my sink is not far from the tub.

Donna, if she can lift her leg more easily sitting down, then 97YearOldMom's suggestion would be the easiest solution.  We had that kind of bench for my parents.    Either could sit down on the part that extended over the bathtub rim, scoot over holding onto the bench handle and lift legs into the tub while sitting down.

If the problem is raising the legs to lift them in, and you're there, you might be able to put a stool on the floor to help her life her legs.

If not and you do need to have a more accessible shower, contact your local city and ask if they get HUD funds to help residents with critical remodels or fixes.  The city I live in used to get these HUD funds; I don't know if they still do or if HUD still has this program. 

Funds were disbursed on a fiscal year basis and basically became available to the City around July or August.    If none are available or your city doesn't participate, you might contact the Alz. Assn. and ask if they have any recommendations.   They're easy to work with and have knowledge of a lot of resources.

In the interim, you can also use no rinse products.   Mom can clean up sitting in the living room or wherever she's comfortable.   Her hair can be washed w/o water, and she can also clean up w/o water as the no rinse products are applied and dry w/o water.  I've used them; they don't leave a residue.

https://www.caregiverproducts.com/no-rinse-personal-care-products.html

Donna
You might try asking your moms doctor to order you mom home health to evaluate her. They can send out a Occupational therapist to evaluate her home and recommend what modifications are needed. A shower bench is what they sometimes recommend where your mom would sit on the bench and slide over, putting one foot at a time in the tub from a sitting position. She would need a shower wand to give herself a bath. A round of therapy can really help some with mobility issues. I realize this isn’t what you are looking for but might help in the interim.

No Medicare will not pay for the shower install. I had a professional company install a walk-in shower for my mother a few years back, grab bars surrounding the shower, a shower wand and shower chair. They installed a wall shower chair, they assured me it was safe. One day I went to put the shower chair back on the wall, a lift up approach, the shower chair came crashing down. Lucky for the company my mom was not on the chair, she could have been seriously hurt. Home depot has programs for home repair for the elderly, handicapped and veterans. I had a ramp put in for my mother and Home Depot did not charge for the labor, but I paid for the materials. Cost me $3,000. I got a quote from others and some were $10,000. I would check and see if they can help. You have to purchase supplies from them. Good luck.

Call your County Office of aging. See if there are any programs that can help Mom. In the meantime, there is a shower bar that claps over the outside of the tub. It helps in getting in and out. Medicare may cover this with a Drs. order. I know Medicaid does.

Put over the tub bar in ur search engine and you will see all types.

No Medicare will not pay for this. I had one installed at my parents home and it was about $1500.00.